PRESS RELEASES

(PHOENIX) – Thirty-five percent of dogs and cats in U.S. households are not spayed or neutered, yet the procedure is one of the most effective ways to reduce the homeless pet population. Pit bulls are more at-risk to end up in shelters in large numbers due to myths and negative publicity, which impact public perceptions of the breed.

To reduce the number of pit bulls born into unplanned litters, PetSmart Charities®, the country’s largest funder of spay/neuter efforts, is launching “Primp Your Pit” – a public awareness campaign and grant program that will provide more than $394,000 to fund affordable, high-quality spay and neuter surgeries for 6,248 pit bulls in 24 states.

From August 1-31, the grants will support 49 non-profit spay/neuter clinics nationwide to provide $20 spay and neuter surgeries for pit bull terriers and pit bull terrier mixes which includes a free nail trim. PetSmart Charities also provides clinics with marketing materials and funding to advertise and promote the campaigns in their communities.

“The ‘Primp You Pit’ campaign helps reduce the homeless pet population by spaying/neutering thousands of at-risk pit bulls that would otherwise wind up in shelters because of unplanned litters,” said Aaron Asmus, program manager, PetSmart Charities, Inc. “We want to educate pet parents on the benefits of spay/neuter and provide affordable, high-quality surgery options nationwide.”

PetSmart Charities, Inc. is a nonprofit animal welfare organization that saves the lives of homeless pets. More than 400,000 dogs and cats find homes each year through our adoption program in all PetSmart® stores and our sponsored adoption events. PetSmart Charities grants more money to directly help pets in need than any other animal welfare group in North America, with a focus on funding spay/neuter services that help communities solve pet overpopulation. PetSmart Charities is a 501(c)(3) organization, separate from PetSmart, Inc.